About Us / History

Poplars Church grew out of the ministry of a gospel music group called 'Faith', based in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, from late 60's until early 80's.

Faith travelled up to 50,000 miles a year to sing about Jesus. They toured up and down the country playing to coffee bar crowds, conferences, pubs, clubs, churches and cathedrals – anywhere and everywhere.

In 1970 two group members, Derek and Mo, married and opened their home to all - those who accepted Christ as the way to full life through 'Faith's' ministry in the local area had an eager desire to know more about Jesus - and thus the Church grew.

Initially the growing Church was housed at Derek and Mo's, but as they were hanging out of the windows we had to move to a bigger place - 'Poplars' (a large detached house where the sound of enthusiastic praise and worship wouldn't annoy the neighbours). 'Poplars' soon became known as the “happy, ‘clappy’ house!”

Within a few years we were packed in like sardines and had to move to rented halls with larger capacity.

Poplars Church became registered as a Charity in 1979.

As Poplars continued to grow it was clear we needed people available to take on their leadership responsibility on a full time basis. In 1981 Derek was called by the Church into full-time ministry, and was joined by Norman in 1985.
Meanwhile, Pete worked as part of the leadership team as well as teaching full-time until he joined the other two in 2002.

As the Church and its work grew we moved into congregations to affect our local communities.

Current congregations are in Worksop and Carlton-in-Lindrick.

During this period we responded to the need in Romania after the revolution in 1989. This work has grown and grown - see our section on Romania.

The growing work needed a base and so in 1995 we moved into our current admin offices in Worksop town centre.

Throughout the 60's and 70's, the moving of the Holy Spirit brought into being thousands of new churches that have completely changed the Christian landscape. Like many such churches Poplars has grown, matured and developed and now makes a significant contribution to the work and witness of the Christian community in Worksop and district and overseas. The work is not finished and our vision is growing and developing. The history of Poplars Church is, above all else, a story of God's faithfulness.

Please see www.anglicancommunion.org/resources/acis/docs/apostles_creed.cfm 

The Evangelical Alliance statement of faith at www.eauk.org/about/basis-of-faith.cfm.

Annual Report to the Charity Commissioners: 2009 - 2010

Safeguarding Of Children & Vulnerable Adults: Safeguarding Policy 2011

The Good Practice Safety Umbrella: Volunteering flow-chart 2012 

As a community of believers we hold to these truths and we seek to express them in ways that make sense to people who live in an increasingly post-Christian, pluralistic, multi-faith society. So in addition to our values we need the qualities of humility, gentleness and respect for others that we see embodied in the person of Jesus.
 
Faith and belief, for us, is a journey of discovery, a dialogue with the living God, and we invite you to talk with us, to explore God and discover Him together. In this way doctrines tend to unite rather than divide.